Bicycle MechanicsBroken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Any recomendations? I'm looking for a good book for beginners who want to learn to work on there own bikes, and possibly build a bike over the winter. I'd like to it to break down what parts do what, maybe throw in some tips or at least help with troubleshooting and normal maintenance. Anyone know any good books, preferably with full color photos?

I bought the Zinn book, saw this one & others recommended somewhere here I think. My opinion - Lots of text, good illustrations, entertaining, informative - recommended. I think it's a great beginner's book. As I am a beginner & this is my first book, I don't have a lot of perspective though. This book doesn't have technical tables & such that a 'denser' book might have & that you might need if you're building a bike from scratch, especially if you're getting parts used &/or from multiple sources.

It doesn't have color pictures, but Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair is my go-to manual. Very well written and the black-and-white photographs are quite clear. Also, unlike the Zinn book(s), Bicycling Magazine's includes topics for both road and mountain bikes in a single volume...helpful for those of us with touring (or similar) bikes that contain a mix of components for road and mountain.

It doesn't have color pictures, but Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair is my go-to manual. Very well written and the black-and-white photographs are quite clear. Also, unlike the Zinn book(s), Bicycling Magazine's includes topics for both road and mountain bikes in a single volume...helpful for those of us with touring (or similar) bikes that contain a mix of components for road and mountain.

+1

Yes, this is my favorite book. Aimed at beginners but very complete and thorough, with excellent illustrated walkthroughs of important repair and maintenance procedures. It's only about $12 online too!